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Lighting Kitchens Design Dilemma

Want to update my kitchen....any ideas

last year

last modified: last year

I want to update the kitche ...I'm not sure what tiles/splash back to do without making it too washed out because of sp much white cabinets. I've got a black rangehood and oven coming.

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Julie Herbert

last year

As suggested adding timber elements will add texture and highlight the features.

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Comments (10)

Jay
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year

Current kitchen we haven't moved in yet as i want to update the kitchen first.

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Jan Dobson
last year
Hi Jacinta, post a couple of pics from your ideasbook showing kitchens you love (whether they’re in the style of your kitchen or not). That will help anyone reading your post. Also a couple of photos of the room(s) adjacent to the kitchen would help. It would give an idea of your style and help keep some cohesion in your home, which almost always adds to the success of any design)
Jay thanked Jan Dobson
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Wouldn't the cost of a new double oven or the Ilve suggested be comparable to some decent $$$ spent on the kitchen or tiles itself? New tiles can be laid over old or even floating timber floor (lighter/darker/black/limed oak) or too much timber? I had timber cupboards too and replaced just the doors with a light laminate timber look finish which made so much difference to the look and I love it! inelew are you just bored with the current kitchen because it is quite traditional? The cost of cutting in the stone bench and purchasing/installing a new oven could be worth weighing up against refinishing the existing cupboards doors or replacing them. Lightening the existing ones either with paint as suggested or limewash...all depends on whether your tastes have changed that much. Do you like or loathe the current set up and is the oven still in good working order?
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Without knowing what style or colour the Colourbond is , it's pretty hard to make suggestions -- oklouise has shown some stunning looks , I'm trying to think how to do something more on a budget ? Using JUST your photo ( i.e. assuming it had the wooden fence still ) I would have waterblasted and stained all the wooden fence ( the one that appears unpainted , the white fence on the left , etc ) in charcoal/black . The white gates I'd redo in white , but with one proviso I'll get to soon . The veranda ( portago ? ) I'd tidy , or replace if too far gone , with new materials . If going new , possibly also stain in charcoal , or a redwood stain , but keep the roof in crisp white . So to this stage , it's tidy but a bit darker , a bit more modern , but pretty boring . So add colour -- the front door , the garage doors , possibly the upper level gutters and downpipes , and the centre scroll in the gates to the left -- all in a stand-out fire hydrant red or sunshine yellow or citrus orange -- I'm hesitant to use orange , as combined with the brown , it may emphasis the 70's aspect , but if there is a barge board around the garage doors , then citrus orange doors with crisp white surrounds would look smart ! Depending on the veranda , and what work is needed there , then maybe $1000-2000 in materials and paint , and 2 days to a weeks work , and it would look more modern , less boxy , more 'happy' .
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dreamer
last year
I think your major challenge is the shiny floor tiles. These need to go or get covered with some large jute floor mats. I say this because you inspiration photos are kitchens with warmth and texture, with lots of wood elements. The kitchen you are moving to, is a very big shiny kitchen. The tiles in the new kitchen can be white or any other colour. Agree the wishy washy colour of existing tiles don’t look good, everything is too clinical. But if you do have white wall tiles, or any other colour, it is important to bring lots of texture and interesting elements. to the walls, with wooden floating shelving. With flowers, with wooden chopping boards. Etc etc. just like your inspiration photos. Take down the chandelier and glass pendants and replace with wood or rattan pendants.
Jay thanked dreamer
dreamer
last year
If you look at your inspiration photos, they all have white tiles with white cabinetry. It is the wood elements on non shiny surfaces that lift the space.
Jay thanked dreamer
Pam Mataari
last year
Black tiles
Julie Herbert
last year
It’s a very modern kitchen, it would need to be either embraced or completely renovated to your inspiration photos, adding a black splash back would look beautiful with the black on the windows, I love the clean look of the floors, its a beautiful kitchen, it’s a big decision plus blending it into the rest of your home
Jay thanked Julie Herbert
User
last year
The existing kitchen is just so cookie cutter -- there is almost no character . The irony is that they presumably added the light mint green tiles to try and lift things , but as has been said , its that plain and insipid it detracts IMO .

As well as that , just visually I think the tiles go too high up the wall , but thats a minor moan .

Those who know me will probably guess , but I think it heeds a stronger colour -- a strong sherwood green , or my favourite , a mid to bright red , even a maroon , would work best with the existing colours and some natural wooden lightshades and stools etc .

Gloss black tiles may work , but my worry is that it may make the cabinets look even more like the cheapest Bunnings flat pack ones you can buy , whereas colour will add to the overall look . One little thing though 0-- the overhead cupboards I'd look at getting plaster or silicone or possibly even some small square mouldings added -- right now they look like they'd fall off the roof if you add too much weight !
Jay thanked User
C P
last year
I'd actually remove the overhead cupboards altogether as that make that area look pokey. Timber shelves with matte black tiled splash back would help although I agree the shiny floor is the biggest barrier.
Jay thanked C P
siriuskey
last year
last modified: last year
If the floor tiles run under the cabinets I would remove the section of cabinet between the sink and the return bench making an Island. I would then add a MW cabinet on the wall next to the sink which you could now reach. The current wall tiles need replacing with suggested ideas by Julie.

I also don't mind those large stone look floor tiles, very simple to live and work with. I have played with a couple of your posts to give a very rough idea. Congratulations on your new home.
Jay thanked siriuskey

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